Geisinger College of Health Sciences to launch Physician Ready Program in the greater Danville area

SCRANTON - Geisinger College of Health Sciences is expanding its successful Physician Ready Program to high school students in the greater Danville area. The program is already advancing the academic preparation of students in northeastern Pennsylvania and will now provide this unique opportunity at Geisinger Medical Center.

The Physician Ready Program helps high school students explore future careers as physicians through medical specialty exposure, clinical skill-building, pre-med advisement, networking and shadowing.

The free program, which begins in mid-October, will serve approximately 30 to 40 students from communities throughout the greater Danville region. Students will participate in monthly in-person sessions at Geisinger from October through June, where they will gain exposure to a variety of medical specialties while developing foundational clinical and professional skills.
The Physician Ready Program is part of Geisinger College of Health Sciences' REACH-HEI Pathway Programs, a continuum of evidence-based educational experiences designed to help students successfully navigate the journey from high school to healthcare careers. The Physician Ready program is designed for students with specific career goals of becoming a physician or physician assistant and combines experiential learning with college and career readiness activities.

"Many students are interested in becoming physicians, but today's path to medical school is more competitive and complicated than ever," said Maureen Murtha, executive director, REACH-HEI Pathway Programs. "Moreover, our programs are based on the idea that students can't aspire to what they can't see. The Physician Ready Program helps students see themselves in these careers while equipping them with the knowledge, experiences and support they need to achieve their goals."

Throughout the academic year, students will explore different medical specialties and learn about the diseases and conditions physicians treat. They will participate in clinical skills instruction, patient simulations, case study reviews and professional communication exercises. The program also includes physician shadowing experiences, mentoring from undergraduate, graduate and medical students, volunteer opportunities and specialized college advising.

Beyond clinical exploration, the program helps students understand and prepare for the pre-med journey. Students will create individualized medical school planning timelines, receive college and pre-med advising and build core competencies such as communication, teamwork, resilience, ethical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for future physicians.

As part of the program, students will work collaboratively on a year-long research project focused on food insecurity and its impact on communities in the greater Danville area. Their work will culminate in a poster presentation at the conclusion of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Applications are now being accepted. The application deadline is Thursday, Oct. 15. Students must complete an application, essay and interview process for consideration.

For more information about Geisinger College of Health Sciences Pathways Programs and application details, visit go.geisinger.edu/PRP or email Maureen Murtha at [email protected].